Chapter 83: Undercurrents! (Seeking subscriptions, monthly passes, recommendation tickets!)
Even Tsunade's commotion couldn't change Danzō's outcome.
After escorting Kurenai home, Sarutobi Asuma didn't go home immediately. Instead, he headed to an izakaya.
As expected, he found Tsunade drowning her sorrows there.
He walked over, sat down opposite Tsunade, refilled her sake cup, and said, "For Danzō, losing the chance to become Hokage is the greatest punishment."
"Furthermore, if I can kill him once, I can kill him a second, a third time."
"If he dares to cause trouble in the future, I'll kill him whenever I want!"
Tsunade scoffed upon hearing this, "Tch, then why didn't you kill him this time?"
After speaking, she downed the drink in one gulp.
Sarutobi Asuma felt a bit awkward and quickly added, "It's because I didn't know Danzō had the Sharingan."
"If you, Lady Tsunade, want to vent your anger, why not compete for the Fourth Hokage position!"
Tsunade glanced at Sarutobi Asuma, who was harboring his own intentions, and let out a soft snort, "Only a fool would want to become Hokage!"
Regarding the Third Hokage, her teacher, she harbored resentment in her heart.
If it weren't for Sarutobi Asuma, she would have already left Konoha with Shizune.
Hokage?
Once, this was indeed her dream, her younger brother Nawaki's dream, and her first love Dan's dream.
But the death of her brother and the death of her first love shattered her dreams.
Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions had disappointed her greatly.
However, did she truly not care about the position of Hokage at all?
Tsunade took another large swig of sake, suppressing the stirring emotions within her.
This was the village her grandfather and great-uncle had sacrificed their lives for, a treasure left behind by their predecessors!
And now it was being corrupted by these people.
A bunch of scoundrels!
Especially that Danzō!
Tsunade continued to guzzle sake, and soon her cheeks were flushed with a rosy glow.
Sarutobi Asuma watched, sighing inwardly.
An hour later.
Tsunade was already swaying and her vision blurred.
"Asuma!"
Sarutobi Asuma turned his head and saw Shizune walking in.
Looking at the drunken Tsunade, Shizune said, "Lady Tsunade hasn't drunk alcohol in a while."
Sarutobi Asuma fell silent for a moment, then stood up and said, "Let's take her back!"
Shizune nodded, then helped the groggy Tsunade onto Sarutobi Asuma's back.
Feeling the softness and the immense weight on his back, Sarutobi Asuma's heart fluttered, and he quickly quickened his pace.
However, the faster he walked, the more it bounced, and the more it bounced, the faster he walked.
By the time they reached the Senju Ancestral Home, Sarutobi Asuma was already drenched in sweat.
After placing Tsunade on the bed, Shizune looked at the sweaty Sarutobi Asuma with confusion.
Was Lady Tsunade that heavy?
"Shizune, I'll leave it to you here!"
Sarutobi Asuma turned and left.
"I feel like Asuma's acting a bit strange..."
Shizune muttered, then got busy.
People who are drunk are not easy to take care of.
In the courtyard.
As the evening breeze blew, his blood gradually cooled.
Sarutobi Asuma rubbed his cheeks and went to the study to continue his studies.
Meanwhile.
At the Root base.
Danzō sat ominously in the darkness, his mind replaying his past.
"If only I had been faster that time..."
"That brat, Sarutobi Asuma, ruined my life's work!"
The dream of becoming Hokage was utterly shattered!
Danzō opened his eyes, his gaze misty.
But quickly, his look turned sharp and ferocious.
"Where there is light, there must be darkness!"
"The Hokage is light, and I shall be darkness!"
Danzō stood up and walked, half of his body in darkness, the other half illuminated by light.
"I may not be able to become Hokage, but I can become the one who controls the Hokage!"
...
The Uchiha Clan.
Naka Shrine.
A large number of Uchiha clan members gathered here.
Upon hearing the punishment for Danzō announced by the clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, there was an uproar.
"He's only losing his position as head of Root and Hokage Assistant? Did our Uchiha clan members die for nothing?"
"This is unfair!"
"We've lost our Sharingan more than once!"
"Also, Izanagi is a forbidden jutsu of our Uchiha clan. Even I don't fully understand it, so why does Danzō possess it?"
...
The Uchiha clansmen were enraged.
They were already incredibly proud and took pride in their Sharingan.
This kind of treatment showed a complete lack of respect for the Uchiha clan.
The firelight flickered, and Uchiha Fugaku's expression was uncertain.
At thirty years old, he was in his prime, but having just taken over as clan head, his authority was not yet fully established.
Especially with many elders in the Uchiha clan.
After the clamor gradually subsided, Uchiha Fugaku finally spoke, "The Third Hokage has also taken some responsibility and intends to step down after this great war, with the Fourth Hokage taking over!"
Silence fell upon the surroundings as the Uchiha clansmen stared at Uchiha Fugaku.
Suddenly, someone asked, "Has the Third Hokage decided who will inherit the position of Fourth Hokage?"
Uchiha Fugaku replied, "Anyone capable can compete for the position of Fourth Hokage!"
Many Uchiha clansmen immediately became excited.
The opportunity had finally arrived!
"Clan head, this is an excellent opportunity!"
"Clan head, with your abilities, you can also compete for the position of Fourth Hokage. As long as you become the Fourth Hokage, you can restore the former glory of our Uchiha clan!"
"That's right, our Uchiha clan founded Konoha alongside the Senju clan back then. How can the position of Hokage be without our clan?"
The Uchiha clan collectively reached a consensus.
Uchiha Fugaku would compete for the Hokage position!
Next, they had to actively respond to the great war and earn military achievements!
Orochimaru's experimental base.
Danzō arrived with his subordinates and looked at Orochimaru, who was methodically conducting experiments. Danzō said in a deep voice, "The competition for the Fourth Hokage position has already begun!"
"In the entire village, besides Hatake Sakumo, you are the strongest contender!"
"However, Hatake Sakumo has a stain on his record; he cannot become Hokage."
"Now, with your combat achievements from defeating the Sand Ninja and my support, you are already ahead of others!"
Orochimaru said indifferently, "Jiraiya probably won't compete, but if it's Tsunade, then there should be no surprise."
Although the Senju clan was gone.
Their influence ran deep within Konoha and the Land of Fire.
Tsunade herself had made immense contributions during the Second Great Ninja War and held the title of the strongest medical ninja in the ninja world.
Even though Tsunade was currently in a semi-retired state, her influence was absolute and unmatched by others.
Orochimaru lacked confidence!
Danzō, however, was calm. "Tsunade has grievances with the Third Hokage. She just went to the Hokage building to cause a scene earlier, so she won't compete for the Hokage position. Don't worry."
"Your greatest rival for the position now is Uchiha Fugaku of the Uchiha clan!"
"In short, be prepared. I will ensure you earn significant merit in the war against the Stone Ninja!"
With that, Danzō turned and left.
Orochimaru paused momentarily, a dark glint flashing in his eyes, followed by a cold smirk.
Did Danzō really think his little schemes could fool him?
Seeing that his own hope of becoming Hokage was gone, Danzō now intended to control him?
"However, Asuma is truly full of surprises!"
Orochimaru chuckled.
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